Those who believe the uncovering of a covert spy is not serious do not understand the spy game. Not only is it serious, it can be deadly for the covert spy, the spy's family and anyone with whom that covert spy has made contact, whether professionally or socially.

The recent naming of the wife of a former American diplomat as a covert spy by high-ranking officials in President Bush's administration is unforgivable. Bush acting as if he has no idea who the guilty parties are is a little tough to believe as well.

I have put off writing about this subject for several reasons, not the least of which is that I worked in the intelligence field with the United States Navy for about four years and was afraid of saying things I shouldn't. The intelligence community is a tight-knit community despite the fact they are often at odds over their work, funding, jurisdiction and other matters. Still, each member understands the importance of the work and the secrecy.

This is not to say there are not renegades, but for the most part, all are loyal Americans with families who like to think that while they are watching a fellow spy's back, someone is also watching their backs.

Because of this, those involved in such work are very distressed over the outing of Joseph Wilson's wife. (Although Mrs. Wilson's name has appeared in a variety of publications already, I cannot bring myself to use it.) They are concerned for their own safety as well as her safety. They fear that if this injustice is allowed to stand, it could happen to others.

What makes this even more disturbing is that the leak came from the White House. And as a journalist, I am also appalled that it was reported by a journalist, Robert Novak. Novak is a conservative Republican columnist and talk show host of notoriety. And while I seldom agree with him, I enjoy reading or hearing what he has to say. Until now.

The leakers apparently called six other journalists around Washington, D.C., in an attempt to get them to spill the beans, but they all declined.

Wilson the diplomat is now charging that the White House leaked the information in retaliation for his speaking out against the president's assertion that Iraq had attempted to buy weapons-grade plutonium from Niger, Africa. It was Wilson who investigated the possibility of such an attempt by Iraq. His findings did not support the president's position and when the president went ahead and said in his state of the union address last January that Iraq had tried to make such a purchase, Wilson went public with his findings.

The White House was greatly embarrassed and angered by this. It certainly put Bush in a bad light as far as his reasoning for the war with Iraq goes. People began questioning his honesty on the war issue. It has greatly hurt his credibility.

Now I don't know any more than you whether or not the leak was made in an attempt to stifle future dissenters. All I know is that for a senior administration official to do so, even inadvertently, is inexcusable. I also know that Bush's claims that he has no idea who leaked the information sound very hollow.

In an attempt to discredit the Wilson's, the administration is now pointing out that the Wilsons are Democrats and contributed to the Al Gore presidential campaign. This is politics at its dirtiest.

It doesn't matter what political party they belong to. The White House should never, for any reason, give up the name of a covert operative. And, to make matters worse, not only was the spy Wilson a covert operative, she was what is known in the CIA as a NOC, which is an officer with a "non-official cover." That means she did not work out of embassies with protection, but she worked out of businesses, social clubs or worked as a scientist or secretary or just whatever. But if she was ever caught, the United States government would disavow any knowledge of her. Spies like Mrs. Wilson are the creme de la creme of the intelligence world. Her husband has aptly referred to her as "Jane Bond."

For Americans to allow this type of business to be conducted out of the White House is very dangerous. A special prosecutor needs to be appointed to look into this matter. Unless one is, the truth as to who outed Mrs. Wilson as a top U.S. spy will never be known. President Bush himself has already prepared us for that when he said that people who leak such information are seldom discovered.